U.S. teen pregnancy and birth rates have declined dramatically over the past two decades and are now at historic lows. Even so, U.S. rates of teen childbearing remain far higher than in other comparable countries.

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History and Awards

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy was founded in 1996 to combat the nation’s incredibly high rates of teen pregnancy. We are proud to report that over the last two plus decades, teen pregnancy and birth rates have reached historic lows: the teen pregnancy rate has declined 55%, teen births have plummeted by 64%, and there has been significant progress across all racial and ethnic groups.

However, progress has been uneven. Rates among non-Hispanic black teens and Hispanic teens remain more than twice as high as they are among non-Hispanic white teens.

Unplanned pregnancy continues to be a challenge for young women. More than two thirds of all pregnancies among unmarried women between 20 and 29 years old are reported by the women themselves to be unplanned.

Young women of color are also more likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. And the majority of all unplanned pregnancies are among unmarried young women who live at or below the poverty line. These unplanned pregnancies pose a variety of health and socioeconomic challenges for these women—and by extension, their children. With our new strategic goals, we are ready to meet these challenges.

Awards and Recognitions

Webby Award

2006, 2011, 2013, 2015

Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising & Media, Online Film & Video, Mobile & Apps, and Social.

Davey Award

2010-2014

The Davey Awards is judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA), a group of leading professionals in the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

Telly Award

2012, 2014, 2015

The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America Maggie Award

2012

The Maggie Awards recognize exceptional achievement in media coverage of reproductive rights and health care issues. Given for an article in ESSENCE magazine which was written in conjunction with a National Campaign polling project, Under Pressure.